Bugger - now the score is 2 forward, 3 back

[tdskip]

I should of quit earlier...LOL.

So one of the captive nuts on the headlight unit just fell off - bugger. Looks like I'm going to have to pull the headlight out. Bugger.

One of the screws on the top of the dash that holds the top on is stripped. I'm not sure how I'm going to get this out since the angle of the windshield severely limits access to that part of the dash. Bugger, bugger, bugger!

 

[AltaKnight]

We're havin' fun now!

 

[DougF]

Unfortunately, too many of us can relate.

 

[tdskip]

Anyone have any ideas for me on getting that stripped screw out short of taking out the windshield or ruining the dash top?

 

[Tomster]

Gum or bees wax on the tips of treezers to gently lift it out?

 

[Guest]

https://www.4grabit.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

 

[DougF]

The only thing I can think of is to turn it with your wrench while applying pressure from underneath with a screwdriver blade.
You can also try the painfully slow process of pliers.

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

If it's what I'm thinking, you can't get to the underside to apply upward pressure -it's sealed together when the sub assemblies are welded together. On my tub, those are treaded into the body sheet metal. So if it's stripped, it's a problem with the tenax fastner. You should be able to pull it upwards while turning it, and when the threads align with the moon, it will come shooting upwards fast enough to break your windshield.

You might try glueing a socket to it so you can pry upwards under the socket while turning it??? (But don't glue the socket to the dash rail.)

 

[tdskip]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

I was able to find where the screw meets the threads by looking under the dash, but the whole screw body and threads are rusted. (which is weird since nothing else there is). I tried cleaning the threads from down below but access stinks.

Angle is too tight to get a drill in the screw up. bugger!

I then tried a pliers from the top, no dice. Not enough grip. Pliers from the bottom - no dice. Not enough grip. Bugger!

Back to the drawing board - I took a dremel and cut a slice in the screw head thinking I could use a flat blade. Nope - screw head metal is too soft and that started to strip as well. Bugger!

Now I'm thinking I should simply grind the screw head off and then deal with the stub once I get the dash top off.

What do you think?

 

[TR3driver]

Now I'm thinking I should simply grind the screw head off and then deal with the stub once I get the dash top off.

Makes sense to me, if you can avoid marring the dash too much. HF sells some cheap little diamond burrs that I find easier to control than the conventional ones.

 

[AltaKnight]

Now I'm thinking I should simply grind the screw head off and then deal with the stub once I get the dash top off.

But don't use a 7" air grinder to do it!

 

[tdskip]

HA! I've been tempted...

So I ground that screw top off and got the dash top cover off with very minimal damage. That allowed me to clean the whole dash, and darn if the instruments panel does not look a TON better without 27 years of dirt and dust all over the place.

The light/fog/hazard switch panel had one working light, so in with a new bulb and sure enough it worked fine. Re-installed than panel and - wait for it - the bulbs stopped working!

Oh, and I also confirmed that the speedometer cable snapped. Oh joy....